The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-10-28
Peter Morgan. 4 Mrsn.

The master has right to search
us, II he likes" he said. ''und we are
all IN the same box. none worse hurt
than the other. II ws're honest. why
what harm can come Of II ?"
And NJ that old John-ap.John broke
out furiousy:
"Hur must be thief, II hur don't
mind the name of one. he yelled.
al never was gif to John-ap-John be.
fore
And then the whole kitchen tell foul
Of unhappy Peter Morgan and abused
him. Before the quarrel was over the
constables arrived.
The servants and their chests and
boxes were searched and nothing
found. But, then. no one would have
been fool enough to put the jewels
where they could be come at after once
stealing them. Suspicion was not les.
sened by this fact; II still lay heavy
upon the anxious men and women.
And they were very wretceed under it,
for, besides the terror of false accu-
sation. a good character was import
ant to them as a stock in trade. and one
upon whose honesty rested blemish
could scarcely find service again.
Therefore they were not displeased. but
rather comforted by the news that thu
major was about to teal" the truth by
Bible and key. and that they were all
summoned to his presence for that pur-
pose.
ut will. come out now" said old
John-ap John. Better confess before
hur has anr more trouble"
And he looked at Peter Morgan.
Every one else looked at him, too,
but they made nothing by that, and after
such preparations as were needful the
little troop filed into the parlor and
stood before the major, Miss Black.
thwaite and her friend. And at once
all eyes were riveted upon thick
Bible. corded about so as to bind with
in its leaves great iron door key.
The major was graver than before,
He arose and addressed the conclave
with an ar that proved how much i'm
portance he attached to the supersti-
tious ceremony which was about to be
performed.
"My friends. he said Two are about
to ask heaven to Judge u.s. Reflect
deception is longer impossible. Let
the guilty confess and make restitution.
and | will treat him leniently--there il
vet time. ! do not wish to resort to
harsh measures.
But no one spoke aud the major took
up the Bible.
"John.ap John" he said, "clear
Yourself first" And the old man
walked SLOWLY toward his master
Holding the Bible by the key. he re-
peaied the names Of the three persons
of the Trinity. and called upon them to
witness to his perfect honesty. And
the KEY remained immovable. and old
John returned to his corner. angry still.
but feeling he had proved himself en-
tirely above suspicion.
IN turn his fellow servants followed,
the women burst ng into tears rs they
retired, leaving the KEY still unturned
between the or at Bible leaves. And
at last il came to Peter Morgan
turn.
The man came forward boldly
enough and took firm hold OF the KEY.
Then he began to utter the sacred
names with which the asseveration Of
his innocence commenced.
God the Father-God the Son"
But then before he could utter
another word. the key turned in the
b ble-iurned fairly around before all
those eyes which were riveted upon il,
and the raered book itself dropped from
Peter Morgan's hand.
For all that, never touched the
diamonds" he cried But no one there
believed him. The test OF the Bible
and kew was considered infallible, and
he was sent to prison to await his trial.
II was proved that on the morning
after the loss of the diamonds Peter
Morgan had gone over to the village.
where his mother lived. and not only
paid her rent. but bought her . red
COW. and that he would not tell whence
the money came. Now, pressed upon
the point, he declared that he had sold
a silver watch for it but did not like
10 gay 50 hecanse IL was an heirloom